70 INSECTS AT HOME. 



On Woodcut VII. Fig. 2, is represented a good example of 

 this genus, Alcochara fuscipes. 



The colour of this Beetle is shining-black. The antennre 

 are short and thickened in the middle. The elytra are red, 

 edged with black, and the legs and base of the antennce are 

 red, the thighs being dull-brown instead of red. This insect 

 flies raj^idly. It is a common species, and, small as it is, yet 

 is the largest of its genus. It haunts decaying substances, 

 whether animal or vegetable. Fifteen British species are 

 known. 



Another member of the same family, Afemeles emarginatus, 

 is shown on Woodcut VII. Fig. 3, and is a rather odd-looking 

 insect. The genus is distinguished by its broad body, and the 

 two projections upon the last joint but one of the abdomen. 

 The second and third joints of the ant^nnse are small. There 

 are only two British species of this genufj. 



The general colour of this insect is shining-brown. The 

 head is black, and the tliorax has a shallow furrow along its 

 disc. The elytra are red-broAvn, covered with short golden 

 down, and the posterior angles are produced into short sharp 

 spines. 



This is one of the parasitic Beetles, residing in the nests of 

 the bank-ant {Formica fusca), and a smaller species of ant 

 {Myrmica ruginodis). Both these ants are very fond of their 

 guest ; and if the nest be opened, the ants take as much care of 

 the Beetles as of their own young, picking them up in their 

 jaws, and carrying them into a place of safety. That these 

 Beetles do not eat either the ants, their eggs, or their young is 

 evident from this fact ; and it is thought probable by many 

 entomologists that the Beetle discharges some secretion which 

 is grateful to the ants, as is the case with sundry Aphides. 



The little Beetle, Oxypoda luteipennis, which is represented 

 on Woodcut VII. Fig. 4, also belongs to the same family. 



The leading characteristics of this genus are as follows. The 

 thorax is much broader behind than in front, and the head is 

 sunk in it nearly to the eyef. The elytra have a distinct notch 

 at the outer angle of the a,pex. The abdomen is strongly 

 margined, and the tarsi have the basal joint rather larger than 



